VAT Tax Director

Taxation; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Taxation in London seeks an experienced VAT Director to lead its VAT service line within a professional services environment. You will oversee complex client engagements and manage a medium-sized team while driving commercial growth.

The role requires strong UK VAT expertise, leadership, and a track record of delivering high-quality client service in an international network. It offers growth opportunities and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Qualified with ICAEW, ACCA or CTA.
• At least five years’ post-qualification experience, including substantial experience managing a medium-sized team.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK VAT and ability to develop colleagues.
• International VAT experience and awareness.
• Track record of delivering excellent client service and managing complex client requirements.
• Commercially minded with experience in budgeting, time-cost management, billing and sales targets.
• Ability to develop and maintain a professional network to generate new business.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders to implement strategy and develop commercial services.
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to develop team members.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Ability to work as part of a wider management team.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the VAT service line, ensuring effective procedures, risk management and ongoing compliance.
• Drive commercial performance by identifying billing opportunities, developing special projects and contributing to sales targets.
• Build relationships across the London office and international group to support client delivery.
• Lead the VAT new-business proposal process with colleagues for proposals and engagement letters.
• Review VAT returns for significant and complex clients, providing technical oversight.
• Identify and lead specialist VAT projects, collaborating with senior stakeholders.
• Manage work in progress, billing and financial performance across client portfolios.
• Support team appraisals and professional development of team members.
• Maintain training, examination and CPD records.
• Oversee timesheet reviews and approvals for reporting lines.
• Collaborate with international service providers to deliver timely advice.

Job description

VAT Director - Leadership Role

London | Up to £150,000 + excellent benefits | Permanent

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced VAT professional to take a leadership role within an established professional services environment in London.

This position offers the opportunity to lead a VAT service line, oversee complex client engagements and contribute directly to commercial growth. The successful individual will combine strong technical VAT expertise with proven team leadership, excellent client relationship skills and a commercially focused approach to developing services and new business.

Working closely with senior colleagues and an international network, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality client advice, strengthening collaboration across teams and maintaining robust risk management standards.

THE ROLE

• Take ownership of the VAT service line, ensuring effective procedures, sound risk management, appropriate decision-making and ongoing compliance.
• Drive commercial performance by identifying additional billing opportunities, developing special projects and contributing to departmental sales targets.
• Build strong working relationships across the London office and wider international group to support collaboration and effective client delivery.
• Lead the VAT new-business proposal process, working with colleagues to prepare accurate commercial proposals and engagement letters.
• Review VAT returns for significant and complex clients, providing technical oversight where required.
• Identify, win and lead specialist VAT projects, collaborating with senior stakeholders as appropriate.
• Manage work in progress, billing and financial performance across your client portfolio.
• Support team appraisals, gather feedback and encourage the professional development of team members.
• Maintain appropriate training, examination and continuing professional development records.
• Oversee timesheet reviews and approvals for relevant reporting lines, ensuring accurate time recording.
• Work with the Tax Director to maintain compliance with risk management procedures.
• Collaborate with international service providers to deliver timely, high-quality advice to clients.

YOUR BACKGROUND

• Professionally qualified with ICAEW, ACCA or CTA.
• At least five years' post-qualification experience, including substantial experience managing a medium-sized team.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK VAT, with the ability to share expertise and support the development of colleagues.
• International VAT experience and awareness.
• A track record of delivering excellent client service and managing complex client requirements.
• Commercially minded, with experience in budget setting, time-cost management, billing and achieving sales or revenue targets.
• The ability to develop and maintain a professional network that can generate new business opportunities.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders to implement strategy and develop commercial services.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to develop team members and foster a positive working environment.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage client-service issues under pressure.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a wider management team.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is an opportunity for an established VAT leader to combine technical expertise, people management and commercial responsibility within a role offering broad exposure across client service delivery and business development.

You will have the scope to shape the VAT offering, develop the team's capabilities, strengthen relationships across the wider business and contribute to the continued growth of the practice.